In northern China, particularly in folk traditions, there has always been a saying that Siberian weasels can possess people and enchant them. Some claim these weasels worship the moon and can become immortals over time. Certain people even regard them as one of the Five Immortals that protect households - they burn incense and pray daily, with some building dedicated Siberian weasel temples.
But we're in the south, where Siberian weasels are rare and their temples even scarcer. If that old woman was truly a transformed weasel, this matter would indeed be mysterious.
I've seen ghosts before, but animals transforming into human forms? That I haven't witnessed, nor do I know if it's real. Still, it sounds sinister enough that my curiosity was immediately piqued.
I told Orwell we wouldn't do the Gods and Ghosts tattoo yet. When free tonight, I'd go with Stein to investigate the internet cafe and see if the old woman was truly that sinister. Then we'd decide what tattoo could counter her.
Orwell agreed, left an address, and departed. As soon as he left, I asked Stein his thoughts on the matter.
Stein said he'd heard many stories about Siberian weasel hauntings. While these creatures are malevolent, they typically won't harm you unless provoked. That internet cafe must have had some contact with the weasel - we should investigate first. Some Siberian weasel temples wield particularly strong power, and giving someone the wrong tattoo could backfire. Violet served as the perfect example.
Stein made a valid point. Human nature is unpredictable - I'd nearly died from Violet's gunshot last time.
Shortly after Orwell left, Stella arrived with a girl about her age. The girl was quite pretty but had an unusually raspy voice that sounded uncomfortable.
Stella introduced her as Harper, an alumni and music major whose throat developed problems three months ago. After surgery, her vocal cords had become like this.
Harper was devastated but refused to abandon her dreams. Recently she'd nearly broken down and attempted suicide.
Having seen my Gods and Ghosts tattoos, Stella thought I might have a solution and brought Harper here.
When Harper saw me, her teary eyes regarded me with desperate hope - like a lost girl pushed into the fire, waiting for me to rescue her from her torment.
I quickly pulled Stella aside and whispered, "Miss, do you think I'm some kind of dream mentor who fulfills wishes? For vocal cord issues, she needs a hospital. How could tattoos possibly help with this?"
Stella glanced at the pitiful Harper, then begged me to try, not wanting her friend to leave disappointed after coming all this way.
Harper's dream since childhood has been to become a singer. If she can no longer sing, Stella fears she won't be able to hold on and might even commit suicide.
I said there was nothing I could do—no means no. Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts aren't a cure-all. Did she think I didn't want to earn money?
But Stella refused to give up and pressed me to reconsider. Maybe there was a similar Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts, something related to singing?
Now that she mentioned it, there was one—a Yin-inspired Tattoo called Ghosts Performing Opera.
In the old days, opera troupes were prone to hauntings because ghosts loved listening to opera. Some of the opera's lyrics could attract evil spirits from all directions.
Additionally, playwrights back then had low social status, and many died unnatural deaths. Their lingering resentment was strong, so after death, their spirits would often follow the troupe.
To prevent ghosts from causing trouble or harming people, the troupe master would perform a special opera for them on the first and fifteenth of the month or during the Ghost Festival.
However, they worried the ghosts might not realize it was meant for them—or that once they came, they wouldn't leave. That's why this Tattoo of Gods and Ghosts existed.
With the Ghosts Performing Opera tattoo, ghosts would hear the music and come when the opera began. After listening, they would leave on their own and wouldn't return to disturb the troupe on other days. That was the tattoo's effect.
But this Yin-inspired Tattoo had nothing to do with Harper's situation. Her problem was with her vocal cords—this tattoo wouldn't heal them or improve her voice.
Stella, however, disagreed. Given Harper's desperation, why not try it? Maybe it would have an unexpected effect?
I refused because Ghosts Performing Opera had another meaning: if given to ghosts, it was one thing, but if given to a living person? This wasn't just about money—it was about life and death!
Seeing my continued refusal, Stella's stubborn temper flared up again. She twisted my ear and snapped, "Just try it—it won't kill her! If something happens, we can just remove the tattoo! You're a grown man—stop making excuses and just help her! It's not like we won't pay you!"
This tigress had a fierce grip—my ear nearly got torn off. For the sake of my own safety, I finally compromised. My grandfather was still waiting for me to save him—I couldn't afford to die yet. But I had one condition: Harper had to agree to it herself. She had to be fully willing before I'd do the tattoo.
Seeing me relent, Stella released my ear and went to discuss it with Harper.
To my surprise, Harper agreed. Even if it was dangerous, she was willing to try.
Then I had nothing left to say. The price for the Yin-inspired Tattoo Ghosts Performing Opera was one hundred thousand dollars. The tattoo would only be done once the money arrived, but the consequences would be on them—I couldn't guarantee any effect.
A hundred thousand was a huge sum for a college girl, but since she studied music, her family probably wasn't poor. Harper just needed three days to come up with the money.
I agreed. "Three days. Bring the cash, and I'll do the tattoo—rain or shine, I'll be waiting at the parlor."
Harper nodded, then bid us farewell. This time, she didn't leave with Stella but went home alone to ask for the money.
After Harper left, I told Stella she'd get a five percent commission—five thousand dollars. I was a fair man, after all.
But Stella refused. She hadn't done this for money—she genuinely wanted to help Harper.
From junior high to high school, then the same university, Stella and Harper's bond ran deep. Singing had always been Harper's dream, and Stella couldn't bear to see her spend the rest of her life in despair. That's why she was willing to take this risk.
Maybe a dying horse could still be cured.
Stella's intentions might be good, but I had no idea what would happen once the Ghosts Performing Opera Yin-inspired Tattoo was done.
Just then, Stein suddenly let out a cheeky laugh beside us, leaving both of us puzzled.
I asked him what was so funny. He said the two of us looked too much like a couple—he felt like a third wheel drowning in dog food. Harper had even asked if we were dating.
"Him and me? A couple? Ugh—" Stella made a gagging face, her expression full of disdain.
"I, Stella, swear—even if I die here, even if I jump off this building, I will never like him!" She added, just in case we didn't grasp her resolve.
"Jump off your sister! What's there to jump from on the first floor? Damn, your mouth is vicious for a tigress. What's wrong with me? Even if I'm trash, I'm still the man you'll never have!" I fired back.
"Oh, so now I'm a tigress?" Stella scowled and slammed me onto the table.
I didn't back down. "What kind of Celestial Master are you? Instead of slaying demons and upholding justice, you're bullying an unarmed, handsome guy like me? Disgraceful!"
Stein quickly stepped in to mediate. "Enough flirting, you two. If you're fated or not, I'll calculate it for you. Bring me your birth details—the Four Pillars of Destiny will tell."